Coping strategies, depressive symptoms, anxiety and wellbeing of the elderly in an institutional setting

Older persons Living in Residential and extended care centres (RECC) have to cope with various stressors associated with institutional life. While some residents cope successfully, a large proportion of this population presents difficulties in adjustment. Knowledge about the role of coping strategies in the adjustment process to nursing home stressors is limited to strategies used in the first few months following admission to RECC. The goal of this exploratory study was to determine how various coping strategies are related to depressive symptoms, anxiety and well-being of 90 residents living in RECC for more than three months. Individual interviews were used to collect the data. Significant correlations were observed between measures of psychological adaptation and the strategies of escape-avoidance and seeking social support. These results confirm than certain coping strategies are associated with adaptation to life in RECC.